Calhoun County

I have come to the end of my research on Daniel D. Spracklin, Elizabeth Keller his first wife and Sarah Blacketer Allgood his second wife. I have also presented posts about his children, his migration from Ohio to Iowa, his estate and his lands. Daniel and Elizabeth are my 2nd great parents. Of course, research is never done, I could do more on Daniel’s life like study the deeds, court records and more and dig more into the lives of his childred. I am fairly content at this time.

Daniel and Sarah Spracklin courtesy of a cousin

Let me review Daniel’s two families:

First marriage to Elizabeth Keller in December 1852 in Morrow Co., Ohio.

Virda Huston Spracklin 1866 to 1927 – Migrated from Iowa to South Dakota.

Reed Andrews Spracklin 1868 to 1938 – Migrated from Iowa to Montana

Daniel Goss Spracklin – 1870 to 1927 – Iowa to Oklahoma and back to Iowa.

Peter George Spracklin – 1872 to 1957 – Iowa to Nebraska and other parts of the country and then finally settling in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Charles Edward Spracklin – 1874 to 1946 – Iowa to Minnesota.

Alfred Marion Spracklin – 1876 to 1893 – He stayed in Iowa with his parents.

Daniel and Sarah’s Children about 1915, courtesy of a cousin.

There is a cousin who does not agree with the labeling of the above photograph, she thinks that Daniel on the far right and Reed on the far left are switched because Daniel was a big man? I believe that it is correct. You can go and looked at the posts I have written on each of these individuals on this blog and study the photographs yourself. I think that Reed must have grown a mustache later on. I wanted to share these comments because it doesn’t hurt to question things. Have fun and let me know what you think.

Unfortunately I don’t have photos of Elizabeth Keller she died in 1859. I don’t have a photo for Henry or the babies Oliver and Mary.

There is a PAGE at the top of this blog with a table of contents for the posts I have published on Daniel, Elizabeth, Sarah and families on this blog. The Solomon Goss Blog has a page at the top covering the posts published on that blog as well about the Daniel and his ancestors covering the Spracklin Families. You can use those PAGEs by printing them out and then following my suggestions for finding the information.

Below is a handwritten list of the Spracklin family that came from a cousin.

Births of the Family per Lydia Spracklin Ross’s papers.

It is time to return to Amarilla and find out what happened to her after her father Daniel’s death. When Daniel died Amarilla was known as Amarilla Dawes and she was on her own. She would live another 27 years.

Peter George Spracklin has given me quite a lot of trouble. He has been very difficult to research. He was a restless man and migrated to many places over the years. This has been confirmed by his descendants who say he went to Minnesota, Oregon, and other parts of the country but eventually ended up in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Peter George Spracklin was a son of Daniel and Sarah Spracklin. He was born 31 August, 1872 in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa. His death certificate has 1874 but I think that is not quite right?

He died 26 January, 1956 in Reading, Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He is buried in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Reading. Peter has a memorial at Find A Grave but no tombstone picture at this time.

Peter appears in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census with his parents and siblings and also in the 1885 Iowa State Census living in Dayton Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa. By the 1895 Iowa State Census Peter is not present. He would have been about 23 years old when he left home.

Peter marries the following year from the census on 1 January, 1896 to Etta Mae Hall in Calhoun Co., Iowa. She was born about 1878 in Iowa and her parents were J.W. Hall and S.E. Hardesty.

I can’t find Peter in the 1900 census, however, but I did find him with Etta in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census living in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

Source: Peter George Spracklin Family, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Warren Twp., Poweshiek Co., Iowa, SD#6, ED#127, Sht#4B, enumerated on 20 April, 1910 by Charles H. Marble. Note: The page is very difficult to read and faded so I don’t know what kind of work he was doing.

In the 1915 Iowa State Census which is a series of cards. Peter is not listed in Emmet County but Etta is with the children.

#207 Female, white, married, can read and write, 36 years in US, 28 in Iowa. Etta M. Spracklin, age 36, Emmet, Estherville, 8 common school, Christian, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa.

#208 Female, white, single, can read and write, 16 years in US, 6 years in Iowa, Hattie E. Spracklin age 16, Emmet, Estherville, Ward 2, 8 common school 1 high school, born Iowa, Christian, parents born Iowa.

#209 Male, white, Public 9, can read and right, 10 years in US, 9 years in Iowa, Iven F. Spracklin, age 10, Emmet, Estherville, 4 common, born Oregon, parents born Iowa.

#210 Male, white, Public School, can read and write, 8 years in Iowa, Charles E. Spracklin, age 8, Emmet, Estherville, Ward 2, parents born in Iowa.

Etta Mae Hall married Robert J. West on the 2nd of March, 1916 in Albert Lea, Freeborn Co., Minnesota according to the Minnesota Marriage Index so it is not surprising to find Peter in the 1920 census listed as divorced.

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census we find Peter with his son Ivan in Nebraska adding another state to his list of wanderings.

Line 95: 17/17 Spracklin Peter, head, Renting, male white, age 47, divorced, can read and write, born in Iowa, father born in Ohio, mother born in Indiana, laborer. Ivin Spracklin, son, male, white, age 14, single, can read and write born in Oregon, father born in Iowa, mother born in Iowa, occupation none.

1. Blanche Alma Spracklin was born 9 August, 1896 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died in 2001. She married a J.P. Vanderoff on 15 April, 1914. He was born 8 December, 1888 and died 2 April 1951 in Shattuck, Faribault, Minnesota. They had Roy Poe Vanderoff born in 1919 in Iowa. Roy married Donna and had five children.

Blanche Alma Spracklin died on 15 March, 2001 in Roseburg, Douglas Co., Oregon. She is buried in the Wilbur Cemetery in Wilbur, Douglas Co., Oregon. Find A Grave has a memorial to her, a picture of her tombstone and an obituary notice that is pretty detailed.

There is a WWII draft card #161 for a John P. Vanderoff age 28 years old, Home Spirit Lake, Iowa, dated of birth December 8, 1888, natural-born in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Farmer, self in Dickinson Co., married, Caucasian, no military service. He is medium height, medium build, eyes blue, hair black, not bald and has all his body parts, signed by John S. Blou, Dickinson Co., Iowa, June 5, 1917.

2. Hattie Ellen Spracklin was born 29 October, 1898 and I have that she died about 1969. I don’t have much on her life. She may have married a Carl R. Abolt.

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census there is a Hattie Spracklin age 21 born about 1899 living on 15th Street, singled and occupied at a Barber shop in Des Moines, Iowa.

In trying the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census I cannot find a Carl with a Hattie. I find a Carl living in Des Moines but on his own. There are multiple Hatties in the 1940 Census with different surnames.

3. Ivan Frank Spracklin was born 25 February. 1905 in Roseburg, Douglas, Oregon. He married Florence L. Nick and they had four children together. Ivan appears with his family and wife Florence in the 1940 U.S. Federal census living in Reading, Pennsylvania.

4. Charles Earl Spracklin was born 11 June, 1907 and died 21 December, 1999 in Reading, Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He married Catherine and had six children one died as a baby.

In the 1930 U.S. Federal census for Reading, Pennsylvania Peter is living with his son Charles and family. By the 1940 census Peter is not listed but Charles and Catherine are there with their children living in Reading.

5. Birdie Emma Spracklin was born 7 July 1909. She married a Richard Gage on 3 August, 1928 in Jackson (not sure if it is Minnesota or Iowa) and had several children. Richard Gage is buried in the Owatonna Memorial Gardens in Steele Co., Minnesota. Find A Grave has a memorial but not a photo of the tombstone. There is a Birdie listed but the dates are 1909 to 1919 and I am not sure what that means.

Birdie and Richard a living in Emmet Twp., Emmet Co., Iowa in the 1930 U.S. Federal Census. They have Deloris with them and she is a baby. They migrated to Westford Twp., Martin Co., Minnesota by the 1940 U.S. Federal Census. They have their four daughters with them: DeLoris, Orpha, Geraldine, and Katherine.

Returning to the mother, Etta Mae appears with her husband Richard West in the 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census in Center Twp., Emmet Co., Iowa. By 1940 they have migrated to Minnesota and settled in Westford Twp., Martin Co., Minnesota. Martin Co. is along the border between Minnesota and Iowa. There is also a 1910 U.S. Census in which a Richard West appears with his wife Nellie and children in Estherville: George, Everett, Charley and Bird.

Etta Mae Hall Spracklin West passed away on the 7th of September in 1972. She outlived both husbands by 15 years. A cousin thinks this obituary is not quite correct, so be careful.

Mrs. Robert J. West (Etta May) 93, died yesterday, Sept 7, 1972 at a nursing home in Crosby, Minn. She was a former resident of Estherville. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm, Monday in Fuhrman Funeral Home, Estherville, and interment will be made in East Side Cemetery. She was born Sept. 22, 1878 at Coon Rapids. She was married to Mr. Spracklin who later died. After his death she was married to Robert J. West and they farmed east of Estherville. He died in 1957. She lived in Estherville for some time, then moved to Minnesota a few years ago.

Survivors include five sons, Ivan Spracklin of Reading PA., Robert West of Faribault, Minn., Everett West of California and George West of Adel; four daughters, Mrs. Richard (Birdie) Gage of Owatonna, Minn. Mrs. Blanche Vanderhoff of Roseburg, Ore., Mrs. Bern Busy of Adel and Mrs. Rose Maloney of Lewisville, Minn.; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and one sister living in California. Friends may call at Fuhrman Funeral Home, Estherville, after noon on Sunday until time of services. Source: Estherville Daily News, Friday, September 8, 1972, page 8.

Robert and Etta are buried in the East Side Cemetery in Estherville, Iowa. Find A Grave has a memorial and tombstone photo for Etta Mae West along with her husband Robert with links.

Peter George’s Death Certificate from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, #060-085, #1952 #204: Died in Berks Co., Reading, PA at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Alsace Twp., Hay Road (Tempe R.D. #1). Peter G. Spracklin died January 26, 1957. Male, White, Divorced. Date of birth Aug 30, 1874 (??) age 82. Laborer, contracting firm. born in Iowa. Father is Daniel D. Spracklin no record on the mother. Did not serve in Armed forces, Informant Charles E. Spracklin residence Reading, PA. Peter died of shock and hemorrhage and gastric ulcer chronic with general arteriosclerosis. Signed by the Coroner. Burial Jan 30, 1957 in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Twp., Berks, PA.

If you would like more information on this family, please leave a comment and I will find you. There are living descendants of this couple and I am sure they would be willing to share, they have been very generous to me. As usual please double-check the information presented here and realize that I have not presented all that I have.

Daniel Goss Spracklin was a son of Daniel D. and Sarah Spracklin. He was born 21 September, 1870 in Benton Co., Iowa. He died 8 August, 1927 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and is buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery in Calhoun County.

Daniel’s mother Sarah was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church circuit that covered the churches of Deep River, Bethel, Mt. Zion, Spring Dale, and Keswick in Iowa and Poweshiek County. Sarah was listed as a member and Daniel G. Spracklin’s baptism was listed on page 186. Source: FHL#1003429 Item 3.

Daniel married on 29 January, 1907 to Susan Matilda Marrow. She was born 23 August, 1869 in What Cheer, Keokuk Co., Iowa and died on 19 December, 1909 in Enid, Garfield, Oklahoma. Susan’s parents were John Marrow and Rebecca Kinder.

Daniel Goss Spracklin and Susan M. Lash, courtesy of a cousin

Source: Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992, Family Search, Daniel Goss Spracklin born 1871 in Benton, Iowa, age 36, to Susan Morrow Lash born 1870 in Mahaska County age 37. Marriage took place on 29 January 1907 in Sigourney, Keokuk, Iowa. Daniel’s father was Daniel Dare Spracklin and his mother was Sarah Blacketer. The bride’s father was John Morrow and her mother was Jane Kinder. Daniel was single and the bride was widowed. Source: Marriage Records for Mahaska Co., Iowa, FHL#1005844, pg. 77

Susan had been married before to a Robert Louis Lash on 16 November, 1890 in Mahaska Co., Iowa ( Source: Marriage Records 1844 to 1939 Mahaska Co., Iowa FHL#985383). Robert was born 10 July, 1869 in What Cheer and he died 23 August, 1899. Find A Grave has a tombstone photo and memorial to Robert with links to several children. He is buried in the Indianapolis Cemetery in Rose Hill, Mahaska County, Iowa.

Susan and Robert Nash had the following children:

1. Jessie Orvil Lash born 31 March, 1892 in What Cheer, Keokuk Co., Iowa and he died 16 April 1969 near Deep River, in Poweshiek Co., Iowa. Jessie is buried in the Goldenrod Cemetery in Deep River, Poweshiek co., Iowa. Find A Grave has a tombstone photo and memorial to him.

2. Bessie Jane Lash was born 28 March 1894 in What Cheer and died 27 June 1912.

3. Fred Nesburt Lash was born 22 April 1898 in What Cheer and he died 17 January 1930 in California. He is buried in the Oakdale Citizens Cemetery in Oakdale, Stanislaus Co., California. Find A Grave has a picture of his tombstone and a memorial with links at the website.

4. John Charles Lash was born 24 March 1900 in What Cheer and died the 17th of December 1940 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He may have married several times and had several children.

In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Susan appears with her children living in Pleasant Grove, Mahaska, Iowa as a widow. She has Jesse, Bessie, Fred and John with her. She is still there in 1895 per the Iowa State Census.

Going back to 1880 we find Daniel Goss Spracklin in the U.S. Federal Census living with his parents Daniel and Sarah and his siblings. He 10 years old.

In 1885 Daniel is listed under the name Dalia and he is 14 years old. In the 1895 Iowa State census Daniel is 24 years old and he is single. In both 1885 and 1895 he is living with his parents in Dayton Twp., Iowa County, Iowa.

In the 1900 U.S. Federal Census Daniel G. Spracklin has a birth date of September of 1870 in Iowa. He is 27 years old and single. Daniel is with his parents and brother Charles.

Clarence was born 8 August, 1888 in Somers, Webster Co., Iowa and died about 15 February, 1976. He was the son of John Martin Vote and Eleanor Amanda Hocket. Clarence had been married before to Lillian Cressinger. She was born 28 March, 1886 and died 10 April, 1920. They had one daughter named Alberta Lillian.

Line 32, 92, 92, Spracklin, Daniel G., Head, M, W, 39, Wd, all born in Iowa, father born in Ohio, mother born in Indiana, English, farmer, farm

Spracklin, Opal M., daughter, F, W, 2, S, yes, yes.

Lash, Jessie O., step-son, M, W, 18, S

Lash, Bessie J., step-d, F, W, 16, S

Lash, Fred N., step son, M, W, 12, S

Lash, John C., step son, M, W, 10, S

Daniel has migrated back to Iowa by 1915 and is living in Deep River not to far from where his parents farm was located. Daniel was not listed with the Estate Partition deeds for his father’s land but he did get his portion of the estate money at the final report in April of 1916.

Source: 1915 Iowa State Daniel G. Spracklin and his daughter Opal appear on the individual cards for that census.

#54? D.G. Spracklin, age 44, Iowa Co., PO Deep River, Dayton Twp., occupation farmer, total earnings in 1914 $200. Common education 10 yrs. Born in Iowa, father born in Ohio and mother born in Indiana.

#55 Opal Spracklin 6 yrs. old, Iowa Co., PO Deep River, Dayton Twp., born in Iowa, father born in Iowa, mother born in Iowa, six years in Iowa.

In 1920 Daniel is in Iowa with a couple by the name of Gray. The relationship of the Gray family, if any, to Daniel is unknown to me. Opal, his daughter, is living with Virda Huston Spracklin in Franklin, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. Virda is Daniel’s older brother.

Amos Earl Spracklin was a son of Reed and Julia Siler Spracklin. He was born on the 28th of August, 1899 in Greenfield Twp., Calhoun Co., Iowa.

Amos Spracklin in 1919

He died on the 12th of December, 1983 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana. He is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City Montana.

Amos & Iva’s Tombstone, Custer Co. Cemetery in Miles City

Amos married Iva Myrtle Heiss on the 26th of July, 1924 in Miles City, Montana.

Kafroth & Mary C. Heiss

Iva was born in Baldwin, Burleigh Co., North Dakota. She was the daughter of Kafroth Rodney Heiss, Jr. who was born 31 May, 1858 in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania and died 6 December, 1928 in Warms Springs, Deer Lodge, Montana. Her mother was Mary Katherine Unzen born 14 February, 1879 in Minnesota and died 20 June, 1973 in Miles City, Montana. She was the daughter of Joseph Unzen and Elizabeth Morris.

Joseph Unzen and Elizabeth are buried in the Saint Leo Cemetery in Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota. Find A Grave has a photo of their tombstones and a memorial with links. It is possible from the Find A Grave information that Joseph’s father was Nicholas Unzen born 2 August, 1788 in Germany and died 18 February, 1872 in Le Sueur Co., Minnesota.

Mary K. Heiss is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City with her son Rodney. Find A Grave has a tombstone photo and memorial for both. There are other Heiss buried there but the relationships are not clarified.

Kafroth’s father was Kafroth Rodney Heiss Sr. who died 12 August, 1858 in Fairview (probably a township), Erie Co., Pennsylvania. The mother was Mary Ann Long born in Fairview, Erie Co., Pennsylvania. There is a memorial at Find A Grave for a Kafroth Heiss with no information and no tombstone. There are other Heiss buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Erie County, Pennsylvania.

We find the family of Kafroth and Mary Heiss living in Wason Flats, Garfield County, Montana in the 1920 U.S. Census. The name is under Kafront R. Heiss. He is 71 years of age in this census. Wason Flats is east of Cohagen in Garfield County, Montana.

Mrs. Iva Myrtle Spracklin, 63, wife of Amos E. Spracklin, former Jordan area rancher, died Monday, November 24 at her home in Hamilton. Funeral services for Mrs. Iva Spracklin were held, Friday afternoon in the Chapel of Stevenson, Miles City Funeral Home with the Rev. Leland Rubesh of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Music was under the direction of Mrs. Marian Pinkham. Mrs. Spracklin was born in Baldwin, N.D. on October 16, 1906, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. Heiss. As a young girl she moved with her family to the Cohagen area where they homesteaded. She received her schooling in Miles City. She was married to Amos E. Spracklin on July 26, 1924 at Miles City and following their marriage they moved to the Jordan area where they farmed and ranched. They retired from the ranch in 1964 when they moved to Hamilton and have made their home there since. Surviving are her husband of Hamilton and six daughters. Mrs. M. Roberts of Hamilton, Mrs. F. Bickel of Rock Springs, Mrs. D. Cole of Miles City, Mrs. B. Roufley of Jordan and Mrs. D. Euell of Bozeman and Mrs. Fishell of White Sulphur Springs. Also surviving are her mother Mrs. Mary K. Heiss of Miles City, and three brothers, Bob Heiss of Garden Grove, Calif., Joe Heiss serving in the U.S. Army and Art Heiss of Miles City; four sisters, Rose Pembrook of Lewiston, Idaho, Delores Rogers of Roundup, Ann Larson of Lewiston, Idaho, and Elizabeth Spracklin of Miles City; 25 grandchildren and seven great grand children. She was preceded in death by one brother, Rodney Heiss in 1962 and one daughter, Mary Ann Spracklin in 1923 near Jordan. Pall bearers were: Martin Derenburgen, Donald Weeding, James Rogers, Waldo Bentley, George Spracklin, Roy Spracklin, Thomas Billings, Pete Ronning and Bob Phipps. Burial was in the family plot in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Miles City.” Note: There were issues with the water table at Sunset and so the casket was moved to the Custer County Cemetery next to her husband Amos in Miles City, MT.

Amos lived fourteen more years beyond his wife and passed away on 12 December, 1983 at the age of 84 years old.

Obituary for Amos Earl Sprackin“Amos Earl Spracklin, 84, longtime rancher of the Jordan area, died Monday at the Garfield County Hospital in Jordan of a long illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1899 in Calhoun Co., Iowa the son of Reed Spracklin and Julia Siler. Mr. Spracklin came to Montana with his parents in 1915 when he was a young man. They homesteaded on Lone Tree Creek, 19 miles west of Jordan. On July 26, 1924, he married Iva Myrtle Heiss at Miles City. They continued to ranch west of Jordan until 1964 when they moved to Hamilton. In 1974 he moved to Mill Iron where he lived until 1978 when he entered the rest home at Jordan where he lived until his death. Survivors included six daughters, Mrs. Clint (Margaret) Vial of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. James Roufley of Brusett, Mrs. Ferdinand Bickel of Mill Iron, Mrs. Delbert ole of Alzada, Mrs. Jesse Euell of Bozeman and Mrs. Jacob Fowler of Hamilton; three brothers Clifford of Hamilton, LeRoy of Roundup, and Forest of Washington; one sister, Clara Monger of Lewistown; 27 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva on Nov. 24, 1969 at Hamilton. Funeral services will be held Friday, 2 p.m., in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Rev. Leslie Payne of the First Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery.” source unknown, probably Miles City newspaper.

Amos and Iva had the following children:

Amos and Iva’s Girls

Mary Anna Spracklin, born 14 August, 1925 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died on the 15th of September 1925. My understanding is that Mary is buried on the homestead property.

Margaret Rosailie Spracklin was born 18 October, 1926 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died 22 December, 2012, in Jordan. Margaret married about five times 1) Daniel L. Ward on 5 April, 1945 in Miles City. They divorced in 1961. Daniel was born 1911 and died 1963. 2) She married Alexander Kline on 17 November, 1961 in Roundup, Montana and they later divorced. He was born about 1916. 3) The next was Ira Clayton Lewis on 1 February, 1964 in Vancouver, Washington. 4) Henry C. Roberts on and Margaret married on 20 December, 1967. Henry was born about 1906 and died 1966. 5) She married Clinton F. Vial on 5 April, 1974 in Vancouver. Clinton was born 1907 and died 1983 in Washington. Margaret had several children from her first marriage. She is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Jordan, Montana. Find A Grave has a nice memorial for her but no tombstone photo at this time.

Alice May Spracklin was born on 9 December, 1928 in Brusett, Garfield Co., Montana and she died on the 28th of January, 2015 in Billings, Montana. She is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, Montana. Alice married a Ferdinand Herbert Bickel on 7 October, 1945 in Miles City. He died on 2 January, 1998 in Ekalaka, Carter Co., Montana. He is also buried in the Custer County Cemetery. Find A Grave has tombstone photos a memorial and links for this couple. Ferdinand and Alice had several children and a long married life together. Alice was married briefly before to a C. Yungk but it was annulled.

Betty Jean Spracklin was born 23 October, 1930 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana. Betty died on the 10th of February, 2013 in Miles City from a heart attack. Betty was married twice. She first married to a Henry Francis Stocker on 3 June, 1948 in Miles City and had several children with this man. They divorced in 1960 and she remarried to a Donald Delbert Cole on 21 March, 1961 in Glendive, Dawson Co., Montana. Donald was born on 18 September, 1925 in Terry, Montana and died 7 April, 2000 in Miles City. Betty is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Find A Grave has a memorial for her but does not have a tombstone photo at this time.

Betty Spracklin Cole

5. Bertha Evelyn Spracklin born 27 July, 1932 in Jordan, Montana. Bertha was married on 18 September 1948 in Miles City to James Everetts Roufley. They had four children together one son and three daughters.

James was born 17 August, 1918 in Stanton, Mercer Co., North Dakota.

James with brother Harold

James fought in World War II in the Battle of the Bulge.

James Roufley after basic training Fort Ord.

He died on 12 July, 1991 and is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.

James Roufley’s Tombstone, Custer Co. Cemetery

James’ parents were James Franklin Roufley who died 2 February, 1972 and Ethel May Percy born 21 November, 1893 and died 21 September, 1978 in Miles City. Ethel is buried in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. James had a brother name Roy who died in 9 September, 1981 in Yellowstone Co., Montana.

Bertha and James settled on the land that was formerly Amos and Iva’s homestead.

6. Dorothy Josephine Spracklin was born 1 January, 1935 in Garfield Co., Montana. She married twice first to a Jesse Bernard Euel on 21 Mary, 1951 and later to a Mr. Tucker. Dorothy was living in Bozeman at the time of her mother and father’s deaths.

7. Helen Marlys Spracklin was born on 23 June 1937 in Jordan, Garfield Co., Montana and died 6 April, 2014 in Spokane, Washington.

Helen Spracklin Fowler

Helen married three times. The first was in April of 1955 she married a Leon W. Seniba. They later divorced in 1961. Another marriage was to a Mr. Fishel. She later married a Jacob E. Fowler born 8 March, 1934 and died 3 July 1981 in Miles City. Jacob and Helen had about seven children together.

Both Helen and her husband are buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana. Jacob has a tombstone picture and memorial at Find A Grave.

If you would like more information about any of these individuals, just leave a comment and I will be happy to contact you. As always please double check the information presented above.

Reed was born on 24 August, 1868 in Benton Co., Iowa. He was living with his parents, Daniel and Sarah, up until the 1885 Iowa State Census but after that he left home and went to live with his sister Lydia in Calhoun Co., Iowa.

In August of 1894, Reed got into a little bit of trouble. He was accused of rioting?

Three toughs names Ed Stacy, Riley Metcalf and Reed A. Spracklin are under bonds to appear before the Calhoun County grand jury at its next setting, to answer complaints made by Bonheur Bros., for attempted riot. These fellows had laid a plan to throw eggs at the tent of the Bonheur Bros, after their entertainment at Muddy, and purchased three dozen eggs at Rice’s store for the purpose. No reason was manifest for the action of the roughs except the failure of a talking machine to work, and as this was a very unimportant feature of the show, the respectable portion of the audience expressed indignation, just after the races closed in Webster.

Note: There are several things to notice in this marriage record, the middle name of Reed. I have no idea what the recorder was thinking. His father is Daniel instead of David and his mother’s last name should be Blacketer not Blaesher?

Julia was born 30 September, 1878 in Nebraska to William Henry Siler and Anna B. Kibbee.

Her father, William Henry, was born 6 July, 1851. He died 2 February, 1939. He is buried in the Cedar Township Cemetery in Calhoun Co., Iowa.

Her parents were Lucius Kibbe born about 1812 in Indiana and died 7 November, 1880. He married Letitia (Lettie) Boucher about 1846 probably in Delaware Co., Iowa. Lettie was born 4 March, 1825 and died 11 May, 1860 in Traer, Tama Co., Iowa.

Find A Grave has Lucius Kibbee at the Morsett Cemetery in Royal, Antelope, Nebraska. Another Find A Grave memorial has Lettie buried in the Bakers Grove Cemetery in Traer, Tama Co., Iowa.

The Kibbe children are: Randolph 1847-1922, Alonzo 1848-1935, Enos 1851-1930, Jane 1853-1883, Marietta 1855-1892, Anna B., Lucius 1858-1954, Mariah 1860-1951. This is a very large family with more details than what I can share here.

Find A Grave has a memorial and tombstone picture for Lucius Kibbe at the Morsett Cemetery in Royal, Antelope Co., Nebraska. Letitia Boucher Kibbe is buried in the Bakers Grove Cemetery in Traer, Tama Co., Iowa.

Lettie’s parents were John Boucher 1790-1854 and Margaret Shook. Margaret (Rachel) was born about 1791 in Hardy Co., Virginia. She died 4 October, 1866 in Monticello, Jones, Iowa. They had the following children: John Vincent, Letitia, Flora B., Mariah Jane, Margaret Ann, and Thomas.

John and Margaret (Rachel) Boucher are buried in the Bowens Prairie Cemetery in Jones Co., Iowa. There are memorials at Find A Grave.

Margaret’s father was Solomon Shook born about 1763 in Frederic Co., Maryland and died before 1830 in Monroe Co., Illinois. The Shook family was very large with about ten children. The mother is not known. Their children are: Solomon, Samuel, Mary Polly, Catherine, Michael, Amos, Lucretia, Rhoda, William, Margaret (Rachel).

Find A Grave has a memorial and tombstone to Solomon Shook at the Miles Cemetery in Monroe Co., Illinois.

Solomon’s father was Lawrence Shook born 1733 and died before 11 November, 1822 in St. Clair Co., Illinois.

When I visited Montana a second time, I made an effort to get two cousins together who are descendants of this family. I was successful. One of the cousins brought a along a genealogy book about the Kibbe Family.

Book: Kibbe genealogical notes on some descendants of Edward Kibbe and his wife Mary (Partridge) Kibbe, by Hanna, Dorren Potter, 1899, published 1972.

Julia Annie Siler Spracklin is a member of a very interesting and old family. I feel I have just touched the tip of the iceberg on her rich family history. There are others who probably know more about her lineage than me. My focus has been on Spracklin/lens, concentrating on Reed’s side of the family, which is no less colorful.

Reed continued to live in Calhoun Co., Iowa and we find him near his brother Virda in 1900. I have already posted about this connection in my post about Virda and Lilly. I present Reed’s part here in which Reed gets the birth location of his parents mixed up.

Something event must have happened about this time. The parents, Daniel and Sarah were aging. Daniel was 70 in 1900 and Sarah was 64 years old. In the 1900 census, brothers Daniel and Charles were living at home with Daniel and Sarah in Iowa County.

Apparently it was decided that Reed would move in and take over caring for the parents. It would have been very interesting to know the story about how Reed came to be the caretaker of his parents and what the discussion was between him and his siblings.

In 1905 we see that Reed took his family from Calhoun County east to Iowa County to help run the farm until his mother and father passed. Reed was to become the Administrator of his parent’s estate. They had an agreement. Reed would get 2/3’s of the farm and estate and the other 1/3 would be divided up with the remaining family. In 1905 C.E. Spracklin was probably brother Charles Edward.

The agreement between Reed and Daniel has been featured in a past post written on November 11, 2014, on this blog. You can find it by using the archive box on the right of this blog.

“Amarilla’s Father Daniel and half-brother Reed form a partnership.”

It was only two years later that Sarah Jane Blacketer Allgood Spracklin, Reed’s mother passed away. She died 22 April, 1907. Sarah’s death has also been featured in a past post on this blog. Sarah had not been feeling well for over a year. The funeral was held in Deep River at the M.E. Church of which she was a member.

Reed is listed as R.A. in this 1910 Census and he is also the head of the family and Daniel is now 80 years old.

Line 16, 23/23, Spracklin, Reed. A., Head, male, white, 41 years old, married, 12 years married, born in Iowa, father born in Ohio and mother born in Iowa. He speaks English, is a farmer and has a general farm, owns it and is able to read and write, has a farm-house and the farm is #23 on the schedule.

Julia A. Spracklin: Wife, female, white, 31 years old, married, 12 years married, born in Nebraska, father was born in Indiana, mother in Iowa, she speaks English, no occupation, can read and write.

Amos E., son, male, white 10 years old, single, born in Iowa, parents see above, can speak English, no trade, going to school and can read and write.

Oliver M., son, male, white 7 years old, single, born in Iowa, parents see above, speaks English, no trade and he is going to school.

Harley G., son, male, white, 4 years old, single, born in Iowa, parents see above, no trade and is not yet in school.

Spracklin, Daniel D., father, male, white, 80 years old, widow, born in Ohio, father born in England and mother born in Ohio, he has his own income and can read and write.

Iowa has State Census and the 1915 is a series of individual cards, so it is very important to make sure you get the whole family.

The 1915 census implies that brother Daniel G. was living with them or nearby. Opal is brother Daniel’s daughter. This is good news. Son, Charles Edward Spracklin had gone to Minnesota by 1915 as we will see in a future post. It is good to know that Reed was not alone in caring for the father. Daniel D. Spracklin, just barely made the 1915 Iowa census. He died in March of 1915. Once Daniel had passed there would be big changes for Reed and his family.

Source: A second marriage for Daniel Dair Spracklin is listed in the South Dakota Marriages 1905-2013, male, age 39, born about 1891 residence Lane, Jerauld, marriage 5 July 1930 in Beadle, South Dakota #138787, Reg#5702, Spouse Adah Kanger.

Daniel and Adah are living in Woonsocket, Sanborn, South Dakota in the 1940 U.S. Census.

Find A Grave has a picture of his tombstone that includes his two wives. It is in the Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket, South Dakota.

3. Lola Isabelle Spracklin was born 29 December, 1892 in Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 29 December, 1975. She married Guy Randerson on 22 December, 1915 in Woonsocket, South Dakota. They had four children: Ruby M., Orval A., Opal A. and Fay A.

Find a Grave has memorials for Mabel Frye and Frank Frye in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, Dixon Co., Nebraska. Ferne Lund Combs also has memorials and tombstone pictures in the Evergreen Cemetery in Superior, Knuckles Co., Nebraska with pictures, obituaries and links to other family.

5. Solomon (Saul) McKinley Spracklin born 7 January, 1898 in Somers, Calhoun Co., Iowa and died 20 August, 1974 in Omaha, Nebraska. He married Helen Bronson on 11 March, 1919 in Jerauld, South Dakota. They had seven children.

Saul and Helen are in the 1940 Census in West Benson, Douglas, Nebraska with their family.

In searching for the burial for Saul, I stumbled on newspaper articles about his death. He was killed in a parking lot in Omaha by some young kids in July 1974 and died on 20 August 1974 of the wounds from what I can make out. More information is available if you contact me by leaving a comment.

6. Beryl Edna Spracklin was born 4 April, 1901 in Calhoun Co., Iowa. She married Bertyl Andrew Lillehaug on 2 July, 1919 in Jerauld, So. Dakota. Bertyl was born 24 January, 1897 in Lane, Jerauld, South Dakota. They died in Pierce County, Washington. Bertyl and Beryl had five children: Arlene B., Verda Mae, Alvin B., Bonnie R, Betty A.

Bert and Beryl Lillehaug are still in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Bertel is working in a Planing mill as an odd jobs worker. The family consists of Bertel 43, Beryl 39, Verda 16, Alvin 15, Bonnie 12 and Betty Ann 1-year-old. So this means they made their migration to Washington State after 1940.

Find A Grave has a memorial of their tombstone and son Alvin’s at the Haven of Rest Cemetery in Gig Harbor, Pierce Co., Washington. There are obituaries listed on the index for Bert and Bertyl at the Tacoma Public Library which require a fee to purchase copies.

7. Howard Alfred Spracklin was born 14 September, 1903 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota and died 19 October, 1977. He married Pauline Kruse on 9 June, 1928 in Jerald.

Alfred was attacked, according to newspaper reports, by two men who stormed into his apartment, stole from him and hurt him in October of 1974. More information will be shared by leaving a comment and I will get in touch with you.

8. Beulah Elsie Spracklin was born 1 May, 1906 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. She married 27 September, 1927 to Elmer Ernest Harris. They had five children.

In 1940 they are living in Bay Lake, Crow Wing Co., Minnesota. Elmer is 36, Beulah E. is 24 and children. Elmer is working as an operator on a farm.

Beulah Spracklin Harris was the mystery niece that attended the Pine River, Minnesota presentation of the play “Tales from the Tall Pines…” in 1985. When I visited Pine River on my three trips there, I was informed of a niece who came to this event. I finally know which of Amarilla’s nieces was involved. Sadly I did not realize that she actually had lived in Minnesota or I would have learned more. See the next post for more about Beulah and this event in Pine River.

There is an Elmer E. Harris at Find A Grave with a memorial and tombstone photo. He was born 1904 and died July 15, 1977 in Crow Wing Co., Minnesota and is buried at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby. Beulah was living in Bay Lake in 1985 and that is east of Brainerd, Minnesota. It might be her husband but so far I have no burial for her.

9. Gerald Huston Spracklin was born 20 December, 1908 in Lane, Jerauld Co., South Dakota. He married Helen Wilson in 1930 in Moody Lake, South Dakota. They both died within months of each other in 1998.

Gerald was apparently a man of clever industry as this newspaper photo shows:

Gerald Spracklin Tin Can Man

Jerry and Helen Spraklin (note spelling) are living in Madison, Lake, South Dakota in the 1940 census with [Nihla J.) daughter.

Find A Grave has a memorial and tombstone photo for both Gerald and Helen at the Graceland Cemetery in Madison, Lake Co., South Dakota.

===========================================================

FamilySearch has school census for the Spracklin family in South Dakota and it looks like most of the children attended either in Alpena or Woonsocket from 1911 to …South Dakota School Records 1879-19700. They have the actual census pages which could me of value to a descendant.

There is more to do and share about this family. I am not up on Nebraska or for that matter South Dakota genealogy but I do wish to caution you about the names of the locations and to verify them. As always please check the other information found above and make sure it is correct. I am more familiar and knowledgeable about Iowa, Washington State and Minnesota genealogy.

I have documents and more collected by cousins that I am happy to share. If you would like to know more about these families, just leave me a comment and I will get in touch with you.

My thanks to all those cousins who have helped with me with this family and for the wonderful photos.

Post navigation

Things to Ponder

The header photo is of Edinburgh looking out on the city towards Arthur’s Sleat the hill in the background. You can climb it if you wish. I am standing on a high building called Camera Obscura on their 6th floor.

Leola May Blinn may be the daughter of Sarah A. Blinn a sister of George and Alexander. I have added new information as of 6/10/2016 to the post about another of Alexander’s siblings. Just put Leola into the search engine and you should find the information.

Table of content pages have been added to the top of this blog. Each page covers a family grouping and the posts published on this blog about that family and other blogs that I write on. HOVER over the titles at the top of this page and other pages titles will drop down. 1/22/2016

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.